As an executive coach and author John Baldoni writes in this April 12, 2018 article in Forbes, “Americans have looked to clergy for moral guidance. People desiring moral clarity seek comfort in their faith — and still do. The last place they look for morality is business.”

“But that may be changing,” he points out. “With recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, companies are exerting their solidarity with students. For example, Delta and United Airlines ended their affinity programs with the N.R.A., a decision that may cost Delta $40 million in tax breaks in their home state of Georgia. Retailers, led by Dick’s Sporting Goods and followed by Wal-Mart, and others are ending the sales of assault rifles, the kind used at Parkland.”

83% said following the “Golden Rule” enables companies to make better decisions;

62% said managers would do better if they relied upon moral authority; and

59% said organizations would be more successful if they with challenges if their leadership had more moral authority.

Unfortunately, he points out, “employees are not getting what they expect:

Only 23% of employees said managers are moral leaders;

Just 17% stand up for people who were treated unfairly; and a mere

12% say managers make time to speak to them about why work is meaningful.

“At the same time, employees say 60% of employees say that their direct managers ask for or expect loyalty from them, the writer points out.

“When it comes to moral authority there is a disconnect between what is expected and what is delivered. So what can managers do to fulfill their employee’s expectations?

“LRN advocates doing two things: pause to reflect on the situation as a means of connecting with values and second act with humility. The former may be easier than the latter, but it is only with humility that leaders connect more realistically with others. If you act your title, you set up barriers to understanding. If you act as a leader, you open the door to greater understanding,” the article explains.

“Dov Seidman, CEO of LRN, advises leaders to instill purpose, elevate and inspire individuals and live your values. Very importantly in this report, Seidman challenges leaders to embrace moral challenges as he says, by ‘constant wrestling with the questions of right and wrong, fairness and justice, and with ethical dilemmas.’

“The virtue of this last point simple: don’t take morality for granted. Every organization will say publicly it is doing what’s right and avoiding what’s wrong, ethically. But internally there are men and women of power and influence who either assume all is well or ignore obvious problems. And that’s when trouble strikes. Few people go into business to be transgressors, but transgressions occur because people are people and can make poor choices.

“Furthermore, avoiding right and wrong is one thing. Deciding between two rights is the tougher choice. Those questions touch on how you do business, what you sell, how you sell and promote it as well as how you recruit, retain and promote employees.

“A leader who is vigilant of the behavior of others and importantly holds himself to ethical standards is one who can help, as Seidman says, ‘build moral muscle.’

The article concludes: “Leaders, then as LRN urges, can empower employees to act on their values and build a culture where moral values resonate.” Click here for the full article.